It's the height of summer, so don't miss out on these family-friendly excursions:

Philadelphia

Global Fusion Festival: Journey to Philadelphia for one day of non-stop entertainment that celebrates bringing diverse communities together for a cultural fusion of the world. This year's theme is "Carnival," combining Caribbean, Hispanic, African, African-American and Asian cultures.

The free festival takes place Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., at Penn's Landing Great Plaza and features live music from top artists, including British R&B singer and rapper Estelle and soul singer Anthony David.

Visitors can also taste world cuisines at food stands, sample cold brews at the refreshing beer garden or stroll by vendors selling unique clothing, jewelry, art and other cool gifts. There are plenty activities to keep the kids occupied, too, ranging from dance lessons to face painting.

For more information, go to globalfusionfestival.com.

Wildwood, New Jersey

The Wildwoods Boardwalk: If you're looking for family fun in the sun, The Wildwoods and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry have teamed up to offer an all-inclusive ferry package to the beach that offers 50 percent savings.

"The Wildwoods Boardwalk – An Authentic American Experience" package includes a round-trip ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry from Lewes, Del., to Cape May, N.J., a 17-mile, 85-minute cruise. Once in Wildwood, a short drive from the ferry terminal, the package includes unlimited rides at Morey's Piers boardwalk amusements, tram car rides and lunch.

The deal is available Mondays to Thursdays through Aug. 25. The all-inclusive price for one vehicle and driver is $69.50. Additional adults and children are $33.50 per person. (If purchased separately, the package would total $123 per driver and $73 per person.) To find out more, go to wildwoodsnj.com or call 800-992-9732.

Artists Paint OC Plein Air: More than 40 artists take to the streets, beaches and bays of Maryland's resort town for an outdoor painting event hosted by the Art League of Ocean City. On Saturday and Sunday, artists will create fine art and then host an exhibit and sale Sunday evening, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Somerset Street Plaza located just off the boardwalk.

One artist will be named winner of the event and receive a $1,000 prize. Second prize is $500 and third is $250.

"We are fortunate to have so many talented artists participating," said ALOC president, Margaret Spurlock.

For more information, call the Art League at 410-524-9433 or go to artleagueofoceancity.org.

Washington

African-American Civil War Museum: Spend the weekend celebrating the re-opening of the African American Civil War Museum. The museum's new location boasts more than $5 million in exhibitions, a media center and a research area for descendants and scholars.

The three-day "grand opening" celebration kicks off Saturday with keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., followed by a conference on racial reconciliation in America. Sunday features a Civil War to Civil Rights Film Festival. The events begin at noon and end at 8 p.m. The festivities continue Monday with the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony at 1 p.m. The day will conclude with tours of the new museum.

A three-day pass to all events is $200. Proceeds will benefit the museums programs. For more information, visit afroamcivilwar.org.

Virginia

Blackberry Delight at Shenandoah: Mid-summer brings bounties of ripe blackberries along the open areas of the trails and streams in Shenandoah National Park near Luray, Va.

Join the staff of Big Meadows Wayside on Saturday for an old-fashioned summer picnic, featuring blackberries as the star. The event will offer blackberries in an variety of foods such as pulled pork with a blackberry BBQ sauce, grilled chicken with a blackberry relish, blackberry triffle, blackberry cobbler, blackberry jellies, and of course, blackberry ice cream.

Entertainment will include blue grass bands and cloggers. The event is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at mile 51.3 on Skyline Drive. For more information, go to visitshenandoah.com.